April 20, 2005

The introductions were swift Tuesday morning -- white smoke rose, and Pope Benedict XVI appeared on television saying he would entrust himself to the prayers of the faithful.

Many North Texans said they were joyful to be a part of history unfolding, even from afar. Some believe they already know what kind of pope Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger will be -- conservative, strong, a leader. Others say they feel uncertainty and misgivings about the election of Benedict XVI. ...

Leaders of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests said they hope that Benedict XVI will discipline bishops who were complicit in the U.S. sex abuse scandal. Since 1950, about 4 percent of priests have been accused of abuse, according to a report by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Kristopher Galland, director of the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of SNAP, said he had wanted a pope who would put in place a less arrogant leadership in the U.S. church. He said he doubts that will happen under Benedict XVI.

"I'm not very hopeful that anything is going to change in this papacy," Galland said.